Drive sequencing mechanism



. R; H., DEvANNr-:Y 3,190,552

DRIVE SEQUENCING ECHANISI 'med Dec. 2o, 1962v INVENTOR. RAYMOND H. DEVANNEY Y ATTORNEYS `pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

` l 351911,52y t nnrvn snQUENciNG MECHANISM Raymond H. Devanney, Berlin, Conn., assignor to Veeder- Root Incorporated, Hartford,` Conn., a corporation of Connecticut t I Filed Dec. 20,`1962,"Se`r. No. 246,238

26.Claims. (Cl. 23S-7132) This invention relates to a drive sequencing mechanism rior automatically altering the speed and/ or rotational direction of a drive lshaft in accordance with `a preselected program of speeds, directions andtduration.

t VIt is a principal aimof thisinvention to provide `a new and improved drive sequencing mechanism of the type described which is adaptable for sequencing the rotational movement of a drive shaft through one or` more changes in speed and/ordirection and which is` equally useful for sequencing a drive havinghigh torque and high speed as well as a drive of comparatively low torque and low p speed. Included within this aim is the provision of a 3,190,552 Patented `June 22, 1965 rice y y the East or West hemisphere being indicated by an addi-` I tional rotary wheel 22. `As a ship or `aircraft proceeds `eastwardly from 000-00 longitude for example, the

counter 10, to register the movement of :the ship or aircraft, shows an increase i-n East longitude to 180 00', at

which point, with the ship or aircraft continuing in an eastwardly` direction, the counter must register a decreasing West longitude from" 1'80 L00 and consequently the countertlmust be lreversed as the ship or aircraft reaches the 180 meridian. For the same reasons the counter must be reversed as the -ship or aircraft passes through the sequencing mechanism having a mechanical mechanism for controlling the rotationalmovement `of the drive and which may be` programmed to provide drive change-overs after the driveyshaft has revolved a` preselected'number of revolutions. t It is` another aim ot the `present invention to provide va sequencing mechanism Aotf thettype Vdescribed whichis capable of providing a` drive change-over with aminimum of lost motionand without` the necessity `of shifting the driving par-ts of the drive mechanism during the` changeover. Preferably the `sequencing mechanism utilizes a p ygear train to rotate the drive shaftwithtthe gear` traincontrolled to-,elec-t a `drive changeover without theshifting ofgears.-ff.A

`Itis a furthe-r aim ofthe present invention to provide a sequencing mechanismfor automatically reversing a r'o-` .tating driven shaft after arpreselected number of shaft revolutions without a rdirectional` change in the driving shaft and wherein the directional changefover is accomf` p plished smoothly and rapidly and with a minimum of lost motion betweenthe driving and driven shafts.

, n is a stili runner aim ofthe` present `iin/entren" to provide a sequencing mechanism of the type described which may betreadily` programmedfffor pre'selecting the duration. between and the timingfof drive `change-overs and which may be compactly constructed of parts capable `of provid ing long service, -free of maintenance or parts replace# ment.` t

Other objects will be in t part obvious, and`in part The invention `accordinglyfresides in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement `of parts which will ybe exemplified in the construction hereafter set fort-hand in the scope of the application as indicated in the appended claims.`

Ingthedrawings: p. FIG. l is` an exploded perspective view` of an -embodi` ment ofaa` sequencing mechanism of the `present invention; and i` FIG; '.2 is an enlarged section 2-12 of FIG. l. p i t t In accordance withxthe present invention, an embodiview` taken along the line ment [of thet'drive `sequencing. ,mechanism isxshown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for sequencing asdrive` to a navigational t counter used'to register the *Eastand West .longitude of an aircraft, ship, or the like,.and whereinthe degrees and the counter. t c t Referring now toFIG. l, the 'navigational counter `generally `designated by the numeral 10 has `five counter wheels14`2, 14, 16, `18 anda20 for` registeringlongitude,` eitherEast or West, from 000-00` to 180200', with p prime meridian. Additionally, the` hemisphere indicator wheel 22must `be indexed with therever-sing of the counter to` appropriately register-the passage from one hemisphere to the other. `Of course, when a ship or aircraft travels in the westerlydirection a similar reversal of :the counter at 18000 and at 0O000' must be accomplished. `Inasmuch as lthe input to the counter, yas from a navigational computer, does not normally reverse at the prime meridian and` atthe 118000 meridian,"the counter must .be automatically reversed at these meridians.

The counter 10 includes the conventional `transfer pin-` ions 24, 26, 28 and 30 rotatably mounted on pinion shaft t 32 for providing the transfer from the indicator wheels t of ,lower order -to the adjacent wheels of higher order and, exceptingf-or the transfer between the rotary` wheels 14 and 16, the notary wheels are indexed one indicia as `theadjacentxindicator of lower order passes between 9 andO. Astheindicator wheel 14 is the second place t indicatortfor registeringminutes, `it will have on the vface thereof thenumerals `between 0 and 5, and accordingly a transfer `between the minutes indicator 14 to the lowest order degrees indicator 16 will |be generated as the minutes. whee1't14 passes between 5 and 0. `The counter 10 is driven `from an input shaft 34 through a pair of drive trains includintg the operatively connected driving and driven elements in the :differentials` 36 and 38.

The carrier 40 of the' differential 36 is fixed for `rotation with the input shaft t34 and rotatably supports two pairs of` intermes'hing planetary` gears 42 and` 44 in` driving en-` gagement with the sunV gears 46I and 48, respectively.

. Similarly, `the differential 68 includes a carrier 50 `fixed for rotation withthe oounterdrive shaft 52 and rotatably 1 to `the sun gears 48 and` 60, respectively. The sun gear supports .two` pairs of intermeshing planetary gears S4` and 56'in driving engagement with the sun gears 58 and 60, respectively. t

`The sun gearv'48 of the differential drive the counter shaft 52 in one rotational direction through an idler gear 62 rotatively mounted on thepinion shaft 32 and in engagement with the gears 64 and 66 fixed 46 is adapted toidrive the counter shaft 52 in the opposite rotational direction through `the intermeshing idler gears `minutes lof longitude, either East or West, are shown on C inputshaft 34 and the countershaft 52.

68 and 70 rotatively mounted on theshaft 72 and the pinion shaft 32, respectively. t The idler gears 68 and 70 are indriving engagement with the gears 'p74 and 76 fixed to lthe sun gears 46 and 58,3 respectively. Thus, `there are provided two drive paths for driving thelovvestV order counter wheel 12 inopposite rotational directions, and both drive `paths are complete without the `necessitfyof shifting gears. By` the properselection of the number of` teeth on the gears in the drive paths, the drive through both drive` paths provides the same drive ratio` between the Thetwodrive paths between the sunfg'ears 46 and 48 of theV differential 36 are controlledby selectively braking or lockingthe `sun gears lthereby deactivating one of the drive `paths and activating the otherdrive path. By re- :leasing the lockedtsungear and simultaneously locking the other,` sun gear, the previously deactive drive pathwill be activated to reverse the counter. l

A pair of similar locking pawls and 82 are fixed for 36 is adapted to rotation with the shaft 72 for rotational movement into f locking engagement with the sun gears 46 and 48, respectively. Each locking pawl'has two diametrically op- Y posed locking portions angularly spaced on the shaft 72 9U relative to the locking portions of the other pawl. The locking portions are adapted to `be, received within a recess 81 on the sun gear for locking or braking the sun gear, and preferablyhave an involute ,contour similar to a gear sector with two gear teeth 84 and 36 (shown in dotted lines in FG. 2). rfhe sun gear recess 81 has a complementary'involute contour sov that engagement and disengagement of the pawl and the sun gear is similar to that of intermeshing gears. Only one of the recesses Sl is shown in the sun gears 45 and 48, however additional recesses may be provided where necessary, and the sunV gears 46 and 4S could even be contoured as spur gears with alternate teeth missing sothat they .be selectively locked in any rotational position. Y v

The locking pawls Si) and `32 are controlled and operated by'a control mechanism generally denoted by the number Q@ which includes a plurality of rotary elements 92, 94, 96, 98 and llti all of which are rotatably mounted on the driveV shaft 34 excepting the rotary element 92 which is fixed for rotation therewith. Each of the rotary elements has fixed thereto a transfer'gear sector 162 and the rotary elements 94, f5, 9d and 100 have additionally fixed thereto transfer spur gears 164. A plurality of program, and may be readily programmedby merely changing the rotary wheels within the storage mechanism. Further, the sequencing mechanism of theY present invention provides a compact arrangement of parts providing a rapid change-over from one drive path to another drive path with minimum lost motion and without the shifting of gears. Y

As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, various modifications and adaptations of the structure above de'- scribed will lbecome readily apparent without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.

I claim: g y Il. A counter mechanism comprising a Vcounter having a plurality of counterwheels and transfer means therebetween, an input shaft, a first Vdifferential having a driv- 1 ing element operably connected to the input shaft and a transfer pinions we, M8, if@ and 112 rotatably mounted v on the shaft 72 engage the spur gears 164 and gear sectors 162. for generating a transfer between the rotary elements. An additional transfer pinion 114 fixed for rotation with Vthe shaft'Z is-driven by the transfer gear-sector N2 of from the dierential 35.

By properly choosing the number of transfer teeth on the gear sectors 162 and the number of rotary elements in the storage mechanism the actuationrof the locking pawls 89 and 32 may be preselected'so that a transfer to the shaft 72 is generated to deactivate one of the drive paths and activate the other drive path in proper timed relationship with the movement of the counter. activation and deactivation'` of the drive paths is accomplished with minimum loss motion between the input shaft 34 and the counter drive shaft 52 inasmuch as one of the locking pawls is brought into engagement with its corresponding sun gear as the other locking pawl is moved out of engagement with yits corresponding sun gear.. .The storage mechanism 93 is accordinglyV constructedv to generate a transfer to the shaft 72 as the counter increases through l79-59 to 180200 and as the counter decreases through 000-0l to CGW-00 thereby automatically reversing the counter lat the prime meridian and at the 180-00 meridian.

Concurrently with the 90 rotation of the pawls 8) and 82 for reversing the counter, a spur gear 116 fixed to the pawl shaft 72 is rotated to index the hemisphere indicator 22 through an idler gear H8 rotatably mounted on the pinion shaft 32 and engaging a gear 119 fixed to the hemisphere indicator. Accordingly, simultaneously with the reversal of the counter 10 the hemisphere indicator is .indexed to register passage from one hemisphere to th other. Although the preferred embodiment of this invention concerns the sequencing of the drive of a navigational counter, thereby exemplifying the manifold advantages of the present invention, other embodiments are contemplated'withdevices wherein it is desirable to effect a change in the speed or direction of a rotatingshaft yor for maintaining a shaft motionless for a preselected duration. It can be seen, therefore, that thev sequencing mechanism of the present invention has utilityV in numerous driving mechanisms for sequencing'the rotational movement of a drive shaft in accordance with a preselected SuchV pair of driven elements, a second differential having a driven element operably connected to the counter and a pair of driving elements, transmission means operably connecting the pair of driven elements of the first differential with the pair of driving elements of the second differential thereby providing two drive paths between the input shaft and counter, Va ydrive control mechanism having a rotary input member operable for initiating a change in the drive of the counter, a rotary output member and means interconnecting ,the input and output members, said interconnecting means operatively connecting theoutput member'with the input member after preselected movement of the input member, and drive-selecting means driven by the output member of the drive control mechanism selectively activating the first and second drive paths Vwhereby after the preselected movement of the input member of the drive control mechanism the drive selecting means is actuated to deactivate one 'of the drive paths and activate the other drive 'path to the 2. A counter mechanism comprising a counter havingV a plurality of counterwheels and transfer means therebetween, an input shaft, a first differential having a rotary driving element openably connected to the input shaft and a pair of lrotary driven elements, a Vsecond differential having arotary driven element operably connected to the counter and a pair of rotary driving elements, transmission means operatively connecting the pair of rotary driven elements of the first differential with the pair of rotary driving elements of the -second differential respectively to provide first and second drive paths between the input shaft and counter, a pair of operatively connected rotary locking pawls positioned for rotary movement for locking the first land second drive paths respectively, said locking pawls each having a pair of diametrically opposed locking parts with the locking parts of one pawl operably displaced relative to the other pawl,a drive control mechanism having la rotary input member operable for initiating a change in the drive of the counter, a rotary output member and means interconnecting the input and output members, said interconnecting means operatively connecting the'output memberwith the input member after preselected movement of the input member, and means drivingly connecting the output member with the pawls whereby after the preselected movement of the input member of the drive control mechanism, the output member thereof actuates the pawls to effect a change in the drive path to the counter.

3. yA counter mechanism comprising a counter having a` plurality of counterwheels and transfer means therebetween,` an input shaft, a first ldifferential Vhaving a rotary ldriving element operablyV connected to the input shaft and a pair of rotary driven elements', la second differential'having a rotary driven element operably connected Y,to the counter and a pair of rotary driving elements,

` pawlis actuated shaft. t i

theginput shaft and counter, `a pair of operatively connected rotary locking pawls positioned for rotary movement for locking the firstfand second drive paths respectively, and a drive controlmechanism having a rotary transmission `meansfoperatively connecting one of said` elements with one of the shafts and the other two of said elements with the other of said shafts thereby providing first and second drive paths between the input `shaft and output shaft, Ia drive control mechanism having a rotary input element operable for initiating a change in the drive path to the output shaft, a rotary output element and means interconnecting the rotary `input and output ele-l ments, saidinterconnecting means operatively connecting the output element with` the input velement after preselected movement of the input element, and drive selecting means operable by the rotary outputelement for activating at `least one of the` drive pathsiwhereby 4after the preselected movement :of the rotary input" element of the drive control mechanism the drive selectingmeans is actuated to activate said one drive path.` i

5. A drive sequencing mechanism comprising an input shaft, a drive shaft, a differeritial mechanism having three operatively connected differentially driven elements,

means connecting a first of :the differential elements` with` one ofthe shafts and a second and third of the differential" elements with the other-of said shafts thereby providing two drive paths between `the inputshaft and drive shaft, a drive control mechanism having azrotary input member operable for initiating a change in the drive `path to the drive shaft, a rotary output member and means intercon-` necting therotaryinput and output members, `said inter-1` connecting means operatively connecting the output member with the inputmember after preselected movei ment` of the input member, andi drive selectingmeans operatively driven by the rotary output member selectively braking the` secondiarld` third differential elements for effecting 'a change inthe :drive path to thedriveshaft.

`6. A drive sequencing mechanismcomprising an input shaft, a drive shaft, a differential mechanism having three operatively connected differentially driven elements, transmission mens operably connecting a first ofthe differential elements with one of the shafts and a second and third of the differential elementsiwith the other of said shafts thereby providing two drive paths between `the i11-i put shaft and drive shaft, a drive control mechanism having a rotary input member operable for initiating a change in the drivepath to thecounter, a rotary output member `and means interconnecting therotaryinputfdandoutput members, said interconnecting means joperatively connect-` i 6 third of the differential elements with the other of said shafts thereby providing first and second drive paths between the input shaft and outputshaft, first and second operatively connected rotary ,locking pawls positioned for rotary movement for locking the first and secondu drive paths respectively, and a drive controlmechanism having a rotary input member operable for initiating a change in the drive path to the counter, a rotary output member operably connected to the first and second locking pawls` and means interconnecting the rotaryinput `and output members, said interconnecting means operatively connecting the output member with the input member after preselected movement` of the input member whereby the first and second locking pawls are actuated to effect a change in the drive path between the input shaft and output shaft after the preselected movement of the rotary input member of the drive control mechanism 8. A drive sequencing mechanism comprising an input shaft, a drive shaft, a differential mechanism having three coaxialoperatively connected differentially driven rotary elements, transmission means connecting a first of the differential elements with` one of the shafts and a second and third of the differential elements with the other of said shafts thereby providing'two drive paths between the inputshaft and drive shaft, first and second coaxial rotary lockingpawls positioned for rotary movement into locking engagement with the second and thirddifferenti'al elements respectively, said locking pawls being angularly displaced to provide `individual locking of the differential elements, and a drive control mechanism havinga rotary input member operatively connected tothe input shaft, a rotary output member operatively connected to the locking pawls and means interconnecting the rotary input and output` members, said interconnecting meansoperatively `connecting the output member with the input member after ypreselectedimovernent of the inputmember whereby a change in the drive path between theginput shaft and drive shaft is effected by the locking pawls after the pre-` selected movement of the rotary input member of the drive controlmechanisrn` t .9. A drive sequencing mechanism comprising an in-A put shaft, a drive shaft, a first differential having Ia driv` ing element operatively connected to the input shaft and a pair of driven elements,ia second` differential having a driven element operatively connected to the drive shaft andA a pair of `driving elements, means operatively con` necting the pair of driven elements of the first differential with the pairiof driving elements of the second differential` thereby providing` two drive paths between the input shaft and drive shaft, a drive control mechanism having a ro-` tary inputmember operable for initiating a change in the `drive path to the counter, a rotary output member and ing the output member with the inplmihmember after pre` selected movement of` the input member, a rotarylocking" pawl positioned fortrotary `movement into locking engage`A` c ment with one of thedrive paths,` `and means` operatively` connecting the locking pavvl` with the rotary output member of the drive control mechanism whereby after the preselected movement of the rotary input" member the locking` 7. `Aldrive sequencing mechanism 'comprising "an input shaft, an output shaft,` a `differential mechanism having three operatively` connected differentially driven elements,

transmission means operably 'connefcting a first `of `the differential elements with one ofthe shafts and a second and to effect `a changein the driveofithedrive l y, d l i i 70,

means interconnecting the rotary input and output members, said interconnecting means operably connecting the output member with the input member after preselected movement of the input member, and drive selecting means operatively `driven by the `rotary output member selectively activating the drive paths wherebya change` in `thekdrive path to the drive shaft is effected by thedrive selecting means afterithe preselected movement of the input member of the drive control mechanism.

10. A drive sequencing mechanism comprising an in` put shaft,` a drive shaft, adifferential mechanismhaving `three coaxial operatively connecteddifferentially driven rotary elements, transmissiommeans operably connecting aj first of the differential `elements with one `of the shafts d and a second and thir'dof-the differential elements with the other of; said shafts thereby providing two `drive paths` between the input shaft and drive shaft,` firstand second,` i

coaxial 4rotary locking pawls positioned for rotarymovement into locking engagement with the second and third differentialelements respectively, said first and second locking pawlsbeing angularly displaced to provide subtantially simultaneous locling` andunlocking of the drive paths, anddrive'icontrol means operably drivingthe ro-` ferential elements.

7 Y tary locking pawls for selecting the drive path between th input shaft and drive shaft. Y

11. The drive sequencing mechanism of claim 1@ wherein the rotary locking pawlsV and the second and third `differential elements are respectively contoured to provideV gear-type intermeshing therebetween for locking the dif- 12. A drive sequencing mechanism comprising an input shaft, a drive shaft, a differential mechanism having three operatively connected differentially driven elements, means connecting a first of the diiferential elements with one of the shafts and a second and third of the differential elements with therother of said shafts thereby providing two drive paths between the input shaft and drive shaft, a drive control mechanism having a Iplurality' of coaxial rotary gear members and a plurality of rotary transfer pinions engageable therewith for generating movement between the rotary members, one of said rotary members being driven for initiating a change in the drive path to the drive shaft, and control means operable by another of said rotary members activating one of said drive paths whereby after preselected lmovement of the one rotary member a transfer is generated to said another rotary member for activating the one drive path.

.13. A drive sequencing mechanism comprising an input shaft, a drive shaft, a differential mechanism having three coaxial operatively connected `differentially driven rotary elements, .transmission means connecting a -rst of the differential elements with one of the shaftsand a second and- 'third of the differential elements with the other yof said shafts thereby providing two drive paths between the input shaft and drive shaft, a control shaft, a pair of Vrotary locking pawls connected for rotation Vwith the control shaft, each of said locking pawls having diametrically opposed locking parts with the locking partsof one pawl being operably displaced 90 relative to the locking parts of the other pawl, and a drive control mechanism having la rotary input member operable for initiating a change in the drive path t-o `the drive shaft, a rotary output member operably driving the control shaft andv means interconnecting the rotary input and output members, said interconnecting means operatively connecting the output member with the input mem'ber after preselected movement of the input member whereby after the preselected movement of the input member the output member of the drive control mechanism is actuated to .rotate the pawls to effect a change in the drive path to the drive shaft.

14. A mechanical sequencing mechanism comprising an input shaft, an output shaft; a differential mechanism having a rotary driving element operatively connected to the input shaft, a rotary driven element operatively connected to the output shaft and 'a rotary contr-ol element; a drive control mechanism havin-g a rota-ry input member operable for initiating a change in the drive of the output shaft, :a rotary output member and means interconnecting the rotary input and output members, said interconnectingV input shaft, an. output shaft, a differential mechanism hav-1y .ing three differentially connected elements including a d-riving element operatively connected to the input shaft,v

a driven element operatively connected to the output shaft and .a control element; a drive control mechanism having a rotary input member operable for initiating a change in the drive of the output shaft, a rota-ry output member and means interconnecting the rotary input and output members, said interconnecting means operatively connecting the output member with the input member after preselected movement of the rotary input member, and means for effecting speed control of the control element operatively driven tby therotary output member whereby after the preselected movement ofthe rotary input member of the drive control mechanism the means for effecting speed control is actuated yby the rotary output member to effect a change in the speed-between the input and output shafts. Y 16. A counter mechanism comprising a counter-having a plurality of counterwheels and transfer means therebetween, a rotary drive member, a differential mechanism having a rotary driving element operably connected to the rotary d-rive member and a pair of rotary driven elements, `transmission means oper-ably connecting the rotary driven elements and the counter for providing two drive t, paths between the rotary drive member and counter; .a

drive control mechanism having a rotary input element operable for initiating a change in the drive path of the counter, a rotary output element and meansV interconnecting the rotary input and output elements, said interconconnecting means operably connecting the output element with the input element after preselected rotary movement of the input element; and drive selecting means operable lby the rotary output elementactivating at least one of the drive paths whereby after the preselected movement of the-input element of the drive control mechanism the output element thereof operates the drive selecting means to. activate said one drive path.

17. V,The counter mechanism of claim 16 wherein the drive selecting means comprises a rotary locking element positioned for activating saidl one drivepath and means operatively connecting the rotary output element of the drive control mechanism with the locking element. lS. A' navigational counter mechanism comprising a rotary counter having a plurality of coaxial counterwheels and transfer means therebetween, ya hemisphere indicator lwheel mounted coaxially with the counterwheels, an input rotary member, a differential mechanism having a rotary driving element operably connected to the input rotary member and a pair of rota-ry driven elements, transmission means oper-ably connecting the rotary driven elements and the counter providing two drive paths between the input rotary member and coun-ter for driving the counter in reverse rotational direc-tions respectively; and a drive path control mechanism comprising a plurality of coaxial control Wheels ofincreasin-g order and transfer meansV therebetween, means operably connecting theV lowest order control wheel and the inputrrotary element, and drive re-V versing meansV operably driven by the highest order controlywheel for selectively activating the drive paths to the counter yand for indexing the hemisphere wheel. Y

ki9. The navigational counterpmechanismgof claim 18 wherein the drive reversing means comprises a control shaft, a pair of rotary locking elements mounted on the control shaft and positioned for rotary movement for selectively activating said drive paths, means operably connecting the highest order control wheel and control shaft, and means driven lby the control shaft for indexing the hemisphere wheel.

Ztl. A drive sequencing mechanism comprising a rotary input shaftpa rotaryoutput shaft, a differential gear mechanism having a rotary driving gear operably connected tok the input shaft and a pair of rotary driven gears, gear Itransmission means operably connecting the rotary driven lgears and the output shaft providing two drive paths betweenthe input and output shafts, anda drive control mechanism comprising a plurality of coaxial gear elements of increasing order, transfer pinions operably connecting said gear elements, means operatively connecting the lowest order Vgear element with lthe input shaft, and drive path selection means driven by the highest order gear element.

21. The drive sequencing mechanism of claim 20 wherein the drive path selection means comprises a pair of coaxial rotary lockingelements positioned for rotary movement for selectively activating said drive paths, and

means operably connecting the rotary locking elements with the highest order gear element.

22. A counter mechanism comprising, a counter having a plurality of counterwheels and transfer means therebetween, a rotary drive member, transmission means operably connecting the rotary drive member and the counter providing two drive paths therebetween; said transmission means including rst and second differen- -tials each having planetary gear means, carrier means for the planetary gear means, and a pair of gears in mesh with the planetary gear means, and means operably connecting the pair of gears of the first differential with the pair of gears of the second differential respectively to provide said two drive paths; a drive control mechanism having a rotary input element driven by the rotary drive member and operable for initiating a change in the drive path of the counter, a rotary output element and means interconnecting the rotary input and output elements, said interconnecting means operably connecting the output element with the input element after preselected rotary movement of the input element; and drive selecting means operable by the rotary output element alternately activating said drive paths whereby after the preselected movement of the input element of the drive control mechanism the output element thereof operates the drive selecting means to change the drive path to the counter.

23. A drive sequencing mechanism comprising, a rotary drive member, a rotary driven member, transmission means operably connecting the rotary drive member and the rotary driven member providing two drive paths therebetween; said transmissionmeans including first and second differentials each having planetary gear means, carrier means for the planetary gear means, and a pair of gears in mesh with the planetary gear means, and means operably connecting the pair of gears of the first differential with the pair of gears of the second differential respectively to provide said two drive paths; a drive control mechanism having a rotary input element driven by the rotary drive member andoperable for initiating a change in the drive path of the counter, a p

rotary output element and means interconnecting the rotary input and output elements, said interconnecting means operably connecting the output element with the input element after preselected rotary movement of the input element; and drive selecting means operable by the rotary output element alternately activating said drive paths whereby after the preselected movement of the input element of the drive control mechanism the output element thereof operates the drive selecting means to change the drive path to the rotary driven member.

24. A drive sequencing mechanism comprising an input shaft, a drive shaft, a pair of differentials; each of said differentials comprising planetary gear means, a rotatable carrier element rotatably supporting said planetary gear means and a pair of rotatable gear elements in operative engagement with said planetary gear means; transmission means operatively connecting the pair of differentials between the input and drive shafts providing a pair of drive paths therebetween adapted for activation by locking respectively a first and a second of said rotatable elements of the differentials against rotation, locking means for alternately locking and unlocking said first and said second rotatable elements against rotation including first and second operatively connected rotary locking pawls respectively operable to provide substantially simultaneous locking and unlocking of said first and second rotatable elements upon rotary movement of the locking pawls, and drive control means driven by the input shaft for rotating the locking pawls for controlling the drive between the input and drive shafts.

25. A counter mechanism comprising a rotary counter having a plurality of counter wheels and transfer means therebetween, a rotary drive member, a pair of differentials; each of said differentials comprising planetary gear means, a rotatable carrier element rotatably supporting said planetary gear means and a pair of rotatable gear elements in operative engagement with said planetary gear means; transmission means operatively connecting the pair of differentials between the rotary drive member and the rotary counter providing a pair of drive paths therebetween adapted for driving the coun-ter in opposite rotational directions and adapted for activation by locking respectively a first and a second of said rotatable elements of the differentials against rotation, locking means for alternately locking and unlocking said first and second rotatable elements for selectively activating the pair of drive paths respectively, and control means driven by said rotary drive member for operating said locking means for alternately locking and unlocking said first and second rotary elements respectively for reversing the counter.

26. A counter mechanism comprising a rotary counter having a plurality of counter wheels and transfer means therebetween, a rotary drive member, a pair of differentials; each` of said differentials comprising planetary gear means, a rotatable carrier element rotatably supporting said planetary gear means and a pair of rotatable gear elements in operative engagement with said planetary gear means; transmission means operatively connecting the pair of differentials between the rotary drive member and the rotary counter providing a pair of drive paths therebetween adapted for activation by locking re spectively a first and a second of said rotatable elements of the differentials against rotation, locking means for alternately locking and unlocking said first and second rotatable elements for selectively activating the pair of drive paths respectively comprising first and second operatively connected rotary locking elements positioned for rotary movement into selective locking engagement with said first and second rotatable elements respectively, and control means driven by said rotary drive member for operating said locking means for alternately locking an unlocking said first and second elements.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,261,655 11/41 Lowe 23S- 6l 2,829,532 4/53 Togstad 74-321 3,022,946 2/62 Glass et al. 23S-117 LEO SMILOW, Primary Examiner.

LEYLAND M. MARTIN, Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent NO 3 190 552 June 22 1965 Raymond H. Devanney It s hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, line 36, after "the", Second occurrence, inser-` counter. --C

Signed and sealed this 7th day of December 196.5@

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A COUNTER MECHANISM COMPRISING A COUNTER HAVING A PLURALITY OF COUNTERWHEELS AND TRANSFER MEANS THEREBETWEEN, AN INPUT SHAF, A FIRST DIFFERENTIAL HAVING A DRIVING ELEMENT OPERABLY CONNECTED TO THE INPUT SHAFT AND A PAIR OF DRIVEN ELEMENTS, A SECOND DIFFERENTIAL HAVING A DRIVEN ELEMENT OPERABLY CONNECTED TO THE COUNTER AND A PAIR OF DRIVING ELEMENTS, TRANSMISSION MEANS OPERABLY CONNECTING THE PAIR OF DRIVEN ELEMENTS OF THE FIRST DIFFERENTIAL WITH THE PAIR OF DRIVING ELEMENTS OF THE FIRST DIFFERDIFFERENTIAL THEREBY PROVIDING TWO DRIVE PATHS BETWEEN THE INPUT SHAFT AND COUNTER, A DRIVE CONTROL MECHANISM HAVING A ROTARY INPUT MEMBER OPERABLE FOR INITIATING A CHANGE IN THE DRIVE OF THE COUNTER, A ROTARY OUTPUT MEMBER AND MEANS INTERCONNECTING THE INPUT AND OUTPUT MEMBERS, SAID INTERCONNECTING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTING THE OUTPUT MEMBER WITH THE INPUT MEMBER AFTER PRESELECTED MOVEMENT OF THE INPUT MEMBER, AND DRIVE SELECTING MEANS DRIVEN BY THE OUTPUT MEMBER OF THE DRIVE CONTROL MECHANISM SELECTIVELY ACTIVATING THE FIRST AND SECOND DRIVE PATHS WHEREBY AFTER THE PRESELECTED MOVEMENT OF THE INPUT MEMBER OF THE DRIVE CONTROL MECHANISM THE DRIVE SELECTING MEANS IS ACTUATED TO DEACTIVATE ONE OF THE DRIVE PATHS AND ACTIVATE THE OTHER DRIVE PATH TO THE COUNTER. 